The Columbus specialty foods- and candle-maker’s profit and sales dipped in the fiscal first quarter because of flat retail sales and higher promotional costs in a “challenging” environment. Profit fell 7 percent and sales fell 2 percent compared with the same quarter last year for the maker of Marzetti salad dressing and New York frozen garlic bread. Food-service sales volumes helped buoy the recent quarter. The company remains on the outlook for industry-leading brands to acquire, it said. Lancaster Colony shares fell 3 percent yesterday, to $82.98.

State Auto Financial posted a third-quarter profit as higher prices and mild summer weather helped bolster results. The insurer said it has seen significant improvement in its homeowner business, with and without catastrophic losses.